Year 2 - Science
Changing shape: plan and do
Uses of everyday materials
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores identifying and comparing the suitability of everyday materials like wood, metal, and plastic for specific uses. It examines how solid objects' shapes can change by squashing, bending, twisting, and stretching. The focus is on simple tests, and using data to answer questions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to plan and carry out a test to try to change the shape of different materials in different ways.
Key Notes
- Materials can be squashed by pressing on them to change their shape.
- Materials can be bent by pushing or pulling a straight shape into a curve or an angle.
- Materials can be twisted by holding each end and turning them in opposite directions.
- Materials can be stretched by pulling them to change their shape.
- Scientists can plan and test how squashing, bending, twisting and stretching can change the shape of some materials.
Vocabulary To Learn
- squash: You can squash something by squeezing or pressing on it.
- bend: To bend something is to curve it so that it is not straight.
- twist: When you twist something, you hold each end and turn them in opposite directions.
- stretch: When you stretch something, you pull it to change its shape.
- material: A material is what an object is made from. An object can be made from more than one material.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Children may think that all objects that can be squashed, bent, twisted or stretched may return to their previous shape (elasticity).
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Materials can be squashed by pressing on them to change their shape. Materials can be bent by pushing or pulling a straight shape into a curve or an angle.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'squash'
You can squash something by squeezing or pressing on it. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Children may think that all objects that can be squashed, bent, twisted or stretched may return to their previous shape (elasticity). Correction: Opportunities to explore the impact of squashing, bending, twisting and stretching different materials.
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